Burwood Resource Recovery Park transformed from waste ground to recreation ground

Christchurch City Council has transformed the Burwood site - once used to sort through the material from buildings damaged or demolished after the earthquakes - into a recreational space the public can enjoy.

Christchurch City Council Resource Recovery Manager Ross Trotter notes “when you look at the Burwood Resource Recovery Park site now it is hard to believe that not that many years ago it was full of construction and demolition waste from across the city.

“The remedial work and landscaping that has been done over the past couple of years has completely transformed the site and it is now ready to be incorporated into Bottle Lake Forest Park.’’

The Burwood Resource Recovery Park was established after the earthquakes as the city needed somewhere it could sort through the vast volumes of construction and demolition waste.

As much of the waste as possible was recycled, but some could not be re-used and remains on site. It has been compacted, covered in soil and planted to create a park-like environment with walking and mountain bike tracks and areas for birdwatching.

More than 100,000 native plants have been added as part of the extensive landscaping.

Trotter added “the plants are obviously quite young at the moment but as they get more established this area will blend more seamlessly into the Bottle Lake Forest Park. I really encourage people to come and explore this new recreational area.”

The new recreation area will open to the public Monday 27th February.